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One Year Anniversary: How Adefulire Is Streamlining SDGs and COP28 To Achieve Renewed Hope Agenda
BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF.
The office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals SDGs under the leadership of Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire had garnered both local and international supports as a global intervention agency, that affected the economic, social and political development of developing nations, with Nigeria not left out.
The leadership of the global outfit domesticated it’s 17 Goals agenda in the country with the former deputy governor of Lagos state, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire reappointed as the Senior Special Assistant to the President in September, 2023.
Having occupied the position in the previous dispensation, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire hitted the ground running by consolidating on the previous success story with the attendance of the 78th session United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) held in the United States in New York in September , 2023 with its theme tagged “Accelerating SDGs Progress Through National Financing Strategies and Integrated National Financing Frameworks (INFFs)” at a high level event in 2023.
Worried by the negative effects of climate change across the globe and the need to achieve accelerated program of SDGs taken cognizance of decade of action of 2020-2030.
The decision of Nigeria’s SDGs to convene INFF in 2022 77th UNGA session held in New York was to increase investments, align resources from both public and private sector ,as well as domesticate the resources to attain the ambitious 2020 -2030 agenda that is near and heading towards half way.
Hence , the high level discussion of the last 78th session of UNGA concentrated on the viability of INFF, international and domestic budgets of countries including Nigeria , particularly the new administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu under his Renewed Hope Agenda, through partnership to achieve it’s immediate goals.
Deploying financing strategies through the INFF to ensuring accelerated progress of SDGs in cahoot with the UN , Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP), economic sustainability plan, growth, and National poverty reduction , as well as attaining National Development plan as we approach second half time.
The launching of INFF at 2022 UNGA was a vital tool to leveraging on its framework towards sustainability in view of global fiscal challenges in both domestic and international spheres, so as to achieve SDGs.
It was also meant to prioritize investments with multiple effects , with collaborative reactions on the whole society approach to implementing INFF Roadmap.
With the envisaged alignment of National and Sub -National budgets, SDGs will be attainable in all spheres of our national life, that will be all encompassing.
Similar advocate debuted in COP28 in 2023 with a clamour for accelerated climate action plan using INFF and national financing.
With highlights of the critical roles of climate change and climate action financing during the side event in Dubai, the combination of EU, UN, UNDP at the pivotal climate change side event, emphasising climate change and SDGs at the global fora and by extension it’s domestication at the home front.
The obvious need to mobilize funds through INFF using financial strategies critical for climate action, capable of addressing climate challenges towards attaining climate agenda for the country between now and 2030 was desiring.
With climate action pledged at COP26 in 2021, and the establishment of National climate change, the ambitious target of achieving net zero emissions by 2060 is achievable.
The Integrated approach deployed by SDGs through harnessing both medium and short term measures since 2016 , the national development, Adisababa action agenda, for financing development/2030 agenda was gradually working out.
With the key initiatives and reforms of SDGs and COP28 outlined in INFF road map particularly funding , in collaboration with both private and public sector, non state actors, fora to holistic approach of the implementation of the International National Financing Framework (INFF), to attain seamless and accelerated development.
The giant strides of the leadership of SDGs under Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire to harness climate action development spanned from the launching of INFF in 2022, to advocating accelerated action in 2023 78th session of UNGA, and COP28 in December, 2023, with a pledge from COP26 in 2021, to achieve SDGs ambitious and accelerated development in line with the decade of action in 2030 and 2060 target of net zero emission by 2060.
The positive development earlier in the life of Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will not only improve domestication, but harness international attention towards national development in all spheres.
BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto
The Deputy Speaker, Sokoto State House of Assembly, Kabir Ibrahim kware, has commended governor Ahmed Aliyu for executing numerous developmental projects without taking loan from any financial institution.
Ibrahim Kware whp gave the commendation when he led other members of the State Assembly on Sallah homage to governor Aliyu, added that, the governor is very prudent in managing resources to achieve results.
“There was never a time you approached us with a request for permission to borrow money from any financial institutions whether at home or abroad,”he affirmed.
This , according to him, is worthy of commendation considering the myriad people- oriented projects the governor is executing across the state.
Speaking on behalf of the State’s Judiciary, Sokoto State Chief Judge, Justice Muhammad Sa’idu Sifawa, commended the governor for the construction of additional Court rooms at the State High Court.
Justice Sifawa also expressed delight over the way and manner the governor responds to issues affecting the Judiciary, which he said, is a clear testimony of the good working relationship existing between the three arms of government in the state.
Responding to the commendations, governor Ahmed Aliyu appealed for more synergy among the three tiers of government in the overall development of the state.
A statement by Abubakar Bawa, the Press Secretary to governor Alhmed Aliyu reaffirmed his principal’s unwavering commitment of the executive arm to providing the direly needed dividends of democracy to the people of the state,in line with his campaign promises.
The governor also urged lawmakers to present all the needs of their constituencies for prompt and diligent implementation.
“”I want to assure you that my doors are always open for you at any given time, to listen to the demands of your people.”
He reminded them on the need to put politics aside and work together with the executive arm for the progress and even development of the people they represent.
Turning to the members of the State Judiciary, the governor appealed to Judges and Khadis to ensure the quick dispensation of justice, so as to decongest the correctional centres.
“It is worrisome to see how inmates are languishing in correctional centres for minor offences in the name of awaiting trial.
“We recently appointed seven additional Judges and 7 Khadis, which is the first in the history of Sokoto State.
“The idea is to enhance the manpower in our Judiciary so as to speed up the dispensation of justice,” he added.
The governor further assured the members of the Judiciary of his administration’s readiness to ensure their welfare at all times.
BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto
The Sultan of Sokoto and President General, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) Muahammad Sa’ad Abubakar 111 has commended the developmental strides of Sokoto state governor, Ahmed Aliyu, just as he assured of the support of traditional institutions in the state.
Sultan who admonished other governor’s to also borrow a leaf from governor Ahmed Aliyu who ensures that resident communities enjoys equal benefit from everybody, added that, Nigerians should project what unites us moe than that which divides us.
“In Sokoto, we appreciate what the Governor is doing and we’d like to assure him of the support of the traditional institution so that he can continue the good work he’s doing of transforming our State.
“The Governor and our security agencies are doing their best and this has made the state to record tremendous improvement in the fight against banditry,” the Sultan averred.
While adding that governor Ahmed Aliyu deserves special commendation for the massive distribution of food items during the just-concluded Ramadan fast, Sultan urged Nigerians to always be law-abiding and desist from any act that may jeopardise the long lasting peace the country is enjoying.
Registering his displeasure over how the social media is been used negatively to promote and sow seed o discord, the Sultan said, some unpatriotic citizens use social media to spread falsehood, misinformation and provocative statements that can destroy the peaceful atmosphere the country is enjoying.
He, therefore, called on the security agencies in the country to be watchful of the unpatriotic citizens trying to create chaos in the land.
Speaking during his
Sallah homage on governor Ahmed Aliyu at the Banquet Hall, Presidential Lodge, Sokoto, Sultan
said, “”In Sokoto all Nigerians are treated as indigenes, an act that gives Nigerians residing in the State a sense of belonging.
Sultan equally stressed the need for for state governors to give much emphasis in protecting the lives and property of their subjects, describing security as the basis upon which all societies could progress.
Responding, governor Ahmed Aliyu reassured his administration’s determination to do everything humanly possible to make the state safe and secured.
He blamed unemployment especially among the youths as responsible for the insecurity being recorded in many parts of the country.
According to Aliyu, many youths have joined informants’ groups so as to be getting stipends to make ends meet.
“This administration has so far trained and graduated thousands of youths and women in different trades so as to make them productive members in the society.
” I want to assure you that we would soon embark on another massive skills acquisition programme to engage more unemployed youths in our modest attempt to reduce restiveness among our youths,” he vowed
Gov. Aliyu further reassured the people of the state that his administration would continue to prioritize Islamic affairs, adding that more Mosques and Islamiyya schools would continue to receive the desired attention from the state government.
He thanked the people of the state for their fervent prayers and support to his administration and called for it’s sustainance.
Sterling Bank has made a groundbreaking move by eliminating transfer charges on local transactions, aiming to create a more equitable banking experience for Nigerians. The question now arises: will other financial institutions follow this lead?
On April 1, Sterling Bank announced the removal of transfer fees for all local digital transactions, positioning itself as the first major bank in Nigeria to implement such a policy. Initially, the announcement faced skepticism, with many believing it to be an April Fools’ Day joke. However, Sterling has since reaffirmed the policy’s legitimacy and immediate implementation, signaling a significant evolution in the industry’s customer service approach.
Obinna Ukachukwu, the Growth Executive overseeing the Consumer and Business Banking Directorate, stated, “We believe that accessing your own funds should not incur a penalty. This decision transcends financial implications; it reflects our core values.”
With this new policy, Sterling customers can now make free transfers for all local transactions via the bank’s mobile app. This initiative is anticipated to yield considerable savings for individuals and small business owners who frequently engage in transfers.
“We may not be the largest bank in Nigeria, but we are certainly the most audacious,” Ukachukwu declared. “Sterling Bank is committed to the future of Nigeria, and we are backing our fellow citizens with more than just words.”
Sterling Bank has a history of prioritizing customer welfare, having previously offered financial assistance to healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. This latest initiative has garnered widespread public support, igniting conversations on social media and prompting calls for other banks to adopt similar practices.
“We take pride in leading this transformative change,” Ukachukwu concluded. “We hope to inspire others to rethink what customers truly require from their banks, not only in terms of services but also in values.”